Chipolopolo Coach Offers Explanation on Benching Mwepu

Chipolopolo coach Sven Vandenbroek says the 0-all draw against Namibia was a fair result given that Zambia had to rally from a goal down.

And Namibia coach Ricardo Manetti said the result had made it difficult for both teams’ chances of qualifying to the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Addressing a post-match press conference in Windhoek, Vandenbroek who made his debut as Chipolopolo coach in a Group K Africa Cup of Nations qualifier said he was happy with the reaction of his players after having equalised as the dearth.

“I think in the end the result is fair. In the first half we had some problems with the number 19 (Petrus Shitembi) just in the space behind our two midfielders we solved that at half time, I think in the second half we had better of the play, most of the ball possession and higher up the pitch. I think in the end the result is fair on a draw,” Vandenbroek said.

The Belgian born trainer also put into perspective his decision to leave Enock ‘Computer’ Mwepu on the bench until the 82nd minute.

“I did not use him (Mwepu) from the start because he travelled on Monday that is one small reason, he came on later than the other boys but also because of the artificial turf,” he said.

The coach said Zambian players did not prefer the artificial surface to the natural conditions which may have made their game a bit difficult.

“Zambians are not tall either, they are not a tall nation as well, I think on height there was not much difference unless you take our central defender Sunzu but the main reason is artificial and given keeping two holding midfielders to not leave space between our central defence and central midfield,” he said.

And Manetti said the 1-all draw was a bitter pill to swallow for his charges as they had taken the lead until added time.

“As for Namibia, it is a bitter pill to swallow to concede just after you have been looking for that go the whole time, it came, then the last two minutes you concede a goal to make a draw,” he said.

He said the draw had left both sides needing victory in their remaining assignments.

Zambia and Namibia settled for a 1-all draw leaving them sharing the bottom place with one point after two matches.

Guinea and Mozambique remain in first and second respectively after having played to a 2-all draw in Maputo.

Zambia’s next assignment is on October 10 when they host Guinea Bissau while Namibia travel to Maputo.

Second half substitute Justin Shonga cancelled out a Benson Shilongo 78th minute goal to ensure that the two sides shared spoils.

107 Comments

Bruno mars the moonshine jungle master

Too bad the results are not good it seems someone instructed Sven wrongly.For me for benching Mwepu just because he arrived on Monday, totally wrong.The chances of quarifying are slim evin the selection of players were not good the combustion in defence was bad if it was Nigeria sorry.Hey coach wakeup from that slumber.

Mkwwzalabanu

Joseph

New coach newly assembled team getting to play together, draw is a good result. Coach has had a chance to taste the strength of the team. Going by the kind of team he has picked, I’m confident that things will get better. Good display, fair result against Namibia. He’s the coach and I’m happy the decisions he made, the explanation he has given for his decisions during the game. Give him friendlies. We shouldn’t be quick to point at his weaknesses so early as though we were any better when what we do well in mostly is talking loudest.

Yun

Young Messi

I agree with you . That’s true and this is the great opportunity for our new coach to see who is performing poorly and well. And I am telling you ,if really this coach is a nice one, you will see how change our poorly team will be. Therefore ,on my side , all the best our new coach in all ideas you have. Don’t tolerate wrong advise your team mates . Just do you responsibility.Try this three guys mwepu , fashion and daka and you will see the combination of them in the play show and tell them not distance ball. You will enjoy celebration that day.

Kalaluka

We r not going anywhere, for is to qualify, it will just be a favor of God,coach, improve on how fast the player are, our game is very slow,the method we r using of being serious on last times or extra time is not gud plz plz plz

Jackson

noel

i know we expected a lot from the team but as you know the combination was having some brakedown here and there and its very rare for chipolopolo to equalise good game coach for a start otherwise and people the VAR you mean it does not apply in african football

{Fm-sun-b}

Isaac patricks

Great start for the new coach, but he has alot of job to work on team weaknesses, he must work on this: defence, fast & quik on the ball, dicision making of starting XI (11) he wouldn’t left mwepu on the bench or even whatsoever he said. Secondly, Match Officials are too corrupt and bribed in Africa norwonder why they fail to qualify for the world finals.

Cholera

Lemmy cheba

I agree with moses zulu the reason he gave about Mwepu was not good enough, l am not convinced with his statement soccer fans will agree with me some player’s were no were to be seen l don’t want to mention names.looking forward for a win against Guinea. Good luck coach

PRINCE MUYABALA

Robbie

Lets be honest here Zambia didn’t play well how can you put the mid fielders that are defensive minded they did not had that mind of attacking ad a result the attacking was very poor i don’t the problem with these guys. To coach you should not follow any instruction from these Zambians you should be given the chance of playing more friendly games for him to see who can play on what position than what we saw yesterday i personally am disappointed with the results i don’t know where we are heading to kaaya vamene tingachite mwandi ndafwa taafa nama bp chinjanikoni kukupya not vamene muteya it’s better nakusiya it’s too much.

Tony Pamesa

Fair results even though I didn’t watch the game to give much analysis. A point is very vital when you play away game unlike drawing at home. The game is now history, lets look upon the coming match in October and polish up the teams lapses.

Sunshine

Padoko padoko mwanyane

I think the game was just ok the problem is that players were missing alot of chances ,, especially mulenga G,, nd patso Dakar anyway good game nd new coach but one thing i want to raise is the goal keeper mweene.. He must not waste alot of time he must be faster as he is….mwene u should change ur style u ar too slow mr captain plz….

HOMMIE 24

Coach we dont pay u to give explanations we pay u to win matches and if anything fashion sakala should be rested and let lubambo musonda start let those who have proven be given enough game time pliz work on the central midfield aswel

sharp

Wongani

Must win match 2 a must draw. Zambia nation team with same performs they had durin Nyirenda and has continue even 2 sven. Zambia weakest point is failing 2 scores and unless our local league produce goals

AM

Stephen S.M Muli

Its a wonderful start for the coach though, there is more to do on switching of play,swift passes from wings to midfield. Please we need to see artificial inteligence interms of movements and communication.

Football Analyst

Malama Golden

Great Kalu was saved from Gabon disasters because of late reporting…good player are good players..don’t develop a slave master relationship with players in the name of discipline…otherwise Mr coach failure in on your door

Farmer

Briven

Advice Mr sven, currently we build our team around mwepu, as you prepare your team, that must be your first piece of dice you throw, as long as he is available and probably performing to his potential…. Never make that experiment again, or you will find out how much Zambian fans can be unwelcoming.

Wilson Eliezer tembo

Jerson derulo

Sylvester Masuwa

I can’ t blame coach for the poor results,the only problem is the banned person Kalusha bwalya who visited the chipolopo boys while they were on training.Because if you observe or remember the past, every game where Kalusha is concern,always the out come is poor result.So guys let us wake up in slumber and we shall see that things will start going well!!!!!!

Howard

Comment Sylverster you are football sick.Go to any sports hospital for treatment.Kalu visiting the team has nothing to do with that draw.Dont demonize the icon like that.Go yo hell with your sangoma father.

Aaron mwepu

Wilson

Am proud of the National team for their performance against Namibia.The coach didn’t make any mistakes by selecting the squad which played yesterday,let’s give him time.It Is not over until God says it is over!.who knows what will come out between Guinea Bissau and Zambia?only God knows.

lubita

Adams

I’m yet to recover from the shock of that match and I thank God things turn around in the dying minute. I read at super eagles news site that the match was fixed. I still don’t know whether to believe this claim or not. I hope we bounce back in the subsequent matches yet to be played. We must qualify!

Moses Mwanampumbe

Ka coach kanabwela kasweta menso kwati ni loser. Songs revived him. Other wise utamatobo nganatwingila no to meno. Watch out Coach. This is Zambia. You will go faster than you came.How can you leave Kambole, mwepu and shonga in the first line up. I’we six Kapena ndiwe seven or seventeen.watch out. Find ziyo tempo to replace Kabaso pa four or malama Kabaso niwakumbali.

Ernest daka

Mpundu kalangwa

Mr 7 next match should be according to our expectation. Mwepu is the heart of the team . I put k500 on zambia win against namibia i lost it ,i just watched you. Next match i will put k1000 on zambia win and if i loose again ukambweshesha shonse indalama shandi.many words does fill a basket napelela apapene

Mpundu kalangwa

Mr 7 next match should be according to our expectation. Mwepu is the heart of the team . I put k500 on zambia win against namibia i lost it ,i just watched you. Next match i will put k1000 on zambia win and if i loose again ukambweshesha shonse indalama shandi.many words does not fill a basket napelela apapene

Miyambo

Dabwitso Tembo

that was a good start mr sven,next time pliz do include mwepu,shonga,lubambo and chisamba lungu in the first lineup.then to my fellow fans,lets not critisize him he needs our support.good lucky next time mr sven and chipolopolo

mercutio

Benny

The team was not sharp enough in front of goal Mulenga could have scored and Natan sinkala also could have scored but hit the post plus the referee was on Namibia’s side by denying Zambia a penalty after one player handled the ball inside the box

CHEVER DAVID

kawesha

I don’t know why he gave kalaba 10, kalaba plays well as a winger, remove Solomon sakala, and let mwepu play 8,shonga 10,patson 9 , lubambo or Augustine mulenga 7, kalaba or fashion 11, you will see the change.

Paul Mainza

It was a fair result, but how l wish Mwepu started the game we were going to have a better result. Next game Mr coach we need a win. We need your experience to seen and good relationship with players. Go guys we are supporting you.

Mukwa

Moses

David njobvu

ba coach be very carefull with your technical bench cause you will seen a waste and useless coach, work like how your friend hev renna had been
doing
ama, old player are now tired of playing football use young players you will see a change
it pain’s use to see losing while we see good and strong players are left behind .

Joseph

If that’s how things are going Zambia will not go ku Africa cup hw could you do that ba coach that was a loosing game if it is not those two substitutions mwepu was supposed to start the same not fashion sakala

Ahmad sawendeli

u have realized now, you were soppose to start with Enoch mwepu Zambia’s best player computer. so next time don’t make those mistakes of putting those best players are on hold,o else will lose the game ahead October 2018 on 10, u should make sure you forcus on skill not on the phenotype wa coach Sven . put much efforts o else u will draw again with bisau

CHIZE

Emmanuel

Mr Sven, you should try to solve some issues of your players in dressing room, not punishing the players by not playing the game, you are not punishing the players but you are punishing the supporters, in football theyz what call dependable players, such players they should not be benched for simple reason, OK good luck boss.